A Creative Fix In Macro Photography For When Your Doors Are Closed!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
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Nothing like taking one of your “blah” shots, and making something appealing out of it!

I was trying some things out in the field last week, trying to get something a bit different because of the absolutely wonderful late evening light. This is one of those where I thought that the original image would probably wind up in the trash. Initially, I just could not get the overall feel for composition in this area I was shooting. Then, thinking ahead, I thought about what a combination of the same image using Photoshop might look like.

For the final piece that you see here and with the camera on a tripod, I took one shot for my original.
Then, I took another shot with some adjustments made for shutter speed, and slightly moving the camera during that exposure for a blurred look.
In the system, and using Studio Artist 3.0, I painted over the original using various brushes and a oil base, then saved that one for my third image.
Then, I combined all of the images together in Photoshop.
In some instances, you do not necessarily need Photoshop, as the combining of images can be achieved in other programs as well. Just check your “Help” file or users manual to see what you can do along these lines.

Fun, fairly easy to do, and it most certainly can open the doors for you in your creativity when all else seems to be at a standstill!

Thanks for looking gang!

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“Turning Away” – Giving Your Macro Photography A Breather!

© 2004 – Michael Brown
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No matter if you live/breathe and consistantly put all of your efforts into a particular subject or style, … sometimes you simply have to take a break away from it and shoot something else. It frees up the mind and soul!
A couple of years ago, my youngest son and I went to the Congaree Swamp National Park early one morning and took a hike deep within the swamp.
It was hazy, a bit foggy in some areas, but better yet, … it was absolutely quite with only the sounds and tastes of nature.
Joseph sat down in a area that was overlooking one of the ponds, and enjoyed watching the turtles clamoring for the limited room on a log.
He has learned that silence can be so golden out in nature, and has also learned that there are times when it is very important to simply put the cameras down!

Next here is just a simple shot, with simple composition showing a nice flow of feathers.
Took this shot using the older Canon 75-300mm lens.

Yes, it feels good to get away from the norm and to try some other things.
I will be doing some studio shooting soon, which brings back some fond memories of a few years back, … and should be interesting since I will be doing it “my way”!
I feel those braincells churning again!!

© 2004 – Michael Brown
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Macro Photography, Macro Art – The Most Open Of All Creative Styles In Nature Photography!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
You know, … the more that I think about it, the more I am convinced that there are far more opportunities to capture something unique, or something that possibly has never been seen before, than in our world of macro photography. A individual seems to have far more avenues that they can take in macro photography to create artwork that appeals to many.
It is just my opinion but personally, it is rare anymore to find a landscape, maybe a bird or a mammal, even the many underwater scenes in nature, and for that image to say to me, … “I’m different”! This is what I always strive for in macro photography.
Sure, there are many wonderful images created in nature photography every day, but in macro it seems to be easily achieved and the chances of capturing something unique are vast, and again, far more than any other type/style of nature photography.

© 2006 – Michael Brown
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One can take those in close, blurred images in abstract form that appeals to many. One can also back off a bit, bringing in those tiny little flowers that are often overlooked in the late day fall sunlight, … and with a touch of details showing. Include some type of highlight in the backgrouund that is blurred, it becomes similar to a setting sun. Vary the focus, the depth, the light, and all while the numerous compositions keep revealing themselves in such a small area. Very hard to do this with a landscape, birds and mammals, etc. Yes, it can be done to a point maybe, … but not as easily achieved. And yet again, you can shoot macro in a way which is not often done, … or seen in nature, unlike a highly detailed landscape or of a animal.
Thinking about it even more, the vast majority of macro subjects are never seen by the average Joe that is out taking a stroll. Bring it to them, and in a way that has some charm, some style, … and you will have yourself a audience. Hopefully, you will have a audience that wants to learn, … and who wants to see more.

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.

Although yes you can do it and not to easily achieved, you simply do not often see very many landscapes, birds or mammals, or those underwater scenes that you can pusposely throw things out of focus to achieve something that you would be willing to hang on a wall. Again, you can do it, but not as easily as you can in the world of macro.

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.

Always keeping a eye and the mind open will greatly benefit the macro photographer.
In this last image, I found a dead moth that was stuck within a clump of grasses.
Some would not even see this, some would see it but overlook the potential because of the way that they have been taught to shoot, or because they could not figure out a composition, or they were stuck on maximum details in the world of macro in which this case it probably would not work very well because of the moth’s surroundings.
Shooting with the lens set to almost wide open, with just enough depth to get the details in the moth, and letting everything else simply to “fall in place”, gives off something a bit different than anything that I had in my files.

I like to play, ….. it’s the kid in me!
I like to find subjects that are different, …. and just like a little kid, to show you what I found.
I like to create, ….. it’s simply who I am!

I also like Butter Pecan ice cream, ….. so I’m outta here to grab a bowl!!!

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It’s “That Time Of Year” Again, But It’s Also “That Time Of Year” Again Too!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
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Yep, … not only is it that time of year again, but it is that time of year again as well, and one of them is one that does drive me a bit batty at times!
But first, the one that I enjoy most.

These two images were taken late in the day with about 20 minutes left before the sun went down below the horizon.

I really enjoy this time of year.
Sure, many of the rich colors are gone but there are numerous color blends replacing those that are now fading.
It is getting cooler outside, and setting out in a field with a cool breeze blowing is refreshing.
There are many blades of grass that are changing, not only in color, but their textures as well.
There are stems that have already shed their leaves, leaving stark and well defined silhouettes in the late day sun.
The stems are stiff in the wind, while the withering grasses are moving about.
I really enjoy finding those compositions in this late day light during the fall.
Then there are times when you find a punch of color among the fading grasses and the darkened stems.
Looking for compositions with that lens set to wide open, reflectors in place for a added touch of light, shooting right through the existing foliage, … this is so relaxing, and allows the mind to create freely, to create easily. I love it!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
With these images, I simply focused on subjects up front, then focused in the back, all while looking for various compositions, depth, light, etc.
I used the Canon 420EX flash off camera and mounted onto the tripod while handholding the camera.
I put two small reflectors onto the plamps and facing the subject area, while pointing the flash right through a larger reflector that was mounted in front of it to heavily diffuse the light it was putting out, thus adding just a hint of light.
Easy to do, allows plenty of freedom, does not give out to much light, and fun to do!

And, … it is also that time of year too!
It seems that it is already time for the many forums that I visit to have those in depth discussions, or those “love spats”, and many of them sounds so much like a broken record.
It is almost as if everyone is snowed in and getting stir crazy.

What is art?, … that ain’t art, … oh yes it is art cause my momma said it is!
You have not studied art, therefore, you do not know what you are talking about.
To clone or not to clone, … to do a little touch up, … you are now a very bad person and what you produce is not a photograph but it is now digital art, … or mixed media, and it belongs in the other forum.
You should always let people know what digital manipulations were involved, or you are now a dishonest person.
Macs verses PC’s. (Well, … macs do win that one!) :)
Which carry on is better?
What really is “nature photography”?
What really is “macro photography”?
Shallow depth of field in macro means you need a lot more practice.
Which ball head you should buy or you are waisting your money.
The 5D is or is not a professional camera.
The Canon Rebel is purely for amateurs. (Made enough with mine in the past 4 months to easily buy two 5D’s and a lens that I want!)
Canon vs. Nikon vs. Olympus vs. Minolta vs. large format, … and so on.
Dummy, … don’t buy that laptop, … buy this one instead!
What will Santa bring you this season?
Santa is stupid for bringing you that!
How do people feel about manipulating photos?
How do people feel about manipulating photos?
(2 weeks later) How do people feel about manipulating photos?
Should manipulation be allowed?
I like this site, and I do not like the other site because of those people over there.
These pictures tell a story, and the others do not.
These gloves are the warmest.
Those other gloves are worthless.
These boots are great, expensive, and look good on a professional.
That tripod sucks!
How does nature photographers here at this site feel about manipulation of images?
Should those who manipulate their images, those who know nothing about art, those who use Nikon, and those who use a PC be taken out and shot? :)

Okay, …. forget the being shot part!!

Yep, … it is that time of year where I will not be visiting very many sites, as they seem to be the same thing over and over again, year after year, during this time of year.
My time will be better spent creating, and doing something “if I can”, something that is different than anyone has ever seen, to do it well, something that appeals to me first, others second, and to learn from it.
That is the key, ……… to learn!

Nuff my mouth for today!!

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High-Key Macro Florals, & “Frans Lanting”, A Must See Site!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.
I have always enjoyed capturing some interesting and appealing high-key florals with contrasting rich colors and something different as far as its composition.
With the various compositions, seems as if I am always drawn to a composition with some of the petals that flow vertically, something that allows the eyes to enter somewhere from the top and to slowly move down, taking it all in, and allows me to study it as I move along.
This image here allows just that, with a interesting shape, lines, subtle textures, rich contrasting colors, … oh well, … I like it!

Now everyone, ….. listen up!

If there ever was a time where you need to turn off the televisioin, turn off the stereo, put the dog outside, gag your spouse or other half and throw them in the closet, … then do it now!
You need some peace and quite to view this absolutely unbelievable imagery from Frans Lanting.
I do not need to say anything else. His work truly speaks for itself.
Sit back and enjoy this!!!

Frans Lanting – “Life – A Journey Through Time”

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Playful Macro Photography!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.

The second image was created by simply isolating a “aster” bloom, and backing off on the focus to create a softer appearance. I used the Canon 100mm macro and 2x teleconverter, shooting through a large magnifying glass with the glass being at a slight angle.
I will try or do anything to come up with something different!

© 2006 – Michael Brown
* Copying/downloading of images is prohibited.

Gotta get back to work.
Everyone take care!